How many records does the archive hold?

74,024 records about Christchurch, every one linked at the provider that keeps the original.

How far back does the archive reach?

1800, the oldest record on file.

Where do the records come from?

30 collections: council archives, Papers Past, DigitalNZ’s partners, cemetery registers, the heritage list itself. The shelf says what exists and where it lives.

Are these documents verified?

They are leads and citations, not evidence, a record says a document exists and where to read it. What a document actually says is only claimed once somebody has read it; those readings live on the place pages.

“Smith and Smith”, the shelf

Every record the archive holds about Christchurch, the oldest first. The originals live at the provider each row links to.

7,181 records matching 98 of these 100 with their text read Papers Past · Canterbury Stories · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Te Papa Collections Online · National Publicity Studios black and white file prints · TAPUHI · Canterbury Museum · Auckland Museum Collections · New Zealand Gazette · Digital Public Library of America · V.C. Browne & Son NZ Aerial Photograph Collection · Christchurch City Libraries Flickr · Hocken Digital Collections · Museums Victoria · Air Force Museum of New Zealand Photograph Collection · Wellington City Council Archives · The New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero · New Zealand Electronic Text Collection · Christchurch City Libraries Heritage Images Collection · Lincoln University Living Heritage: Tikaka Tuku Iho · Flickr · Radio New Zealand · Alexander Turnbull Library Flickr · Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki · Te Hikoi Museum · iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao · Manawatū Heritage · Canterbury Photography Museum · Akaroa Museum · Hawke's Bay Museum

the 1880s
11 Jan 1889
Local & General. (Star, 11 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1889
CHRISTCHURCH, (Colonist, 12 January 1889) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 16 January 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 23 January 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1889
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 24 January 1889) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1889
UNIVERSITY OF NEW ZEALAND. (Star, 24 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1889
SHIPPING, (Otago Daily Times, 06 February 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1889
Untitled (Star, 12 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1889
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. (Otago Daily Times, 20 February 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1889
BOWLING. (Otago Daily Times, 21 February 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1889
Belfast School. (Star, 22 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1889
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1889. (Otago Daily Times, 26 February 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1889
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Auckland Star, 02 March 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (New Zealand Tablet, 08 March 1889) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1889
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 12 March 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 14 March 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1889
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 15 March 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1889
NEWS OF THE MONTH. (Auckland Star, 23 March 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Mar 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 25 March 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (New Zealand Tablet, 29 March 1889) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1889
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 30 March 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Apr 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 08 April 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1889
The University. (Star, 10 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1889
NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY, (Otago Daily Times, 11 April 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1889
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1889. (Otago Daily Times, 15 April 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1889
NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY. (Otago Daily Times, 17 April 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 17 April 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (New Zealand Tablet, 19 April 1889) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1889
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, April 22. (North Otago Times, 23 April 1889) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1889
West Coast Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1889. (West Coast Times, 27 April 1889) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 May 1889
FOOTBALL. (Star, 16 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 17 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1889
Local & General. (Star, 24 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1889
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1889. (Otago Daily Times, 12 June 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jun 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 13 June 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1889
FOOTBALL. (Auckland Star, 22 June 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1889
Local & General. (Star, 28 June 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jun 1889
THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE. + (Evening Post, 29 June 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jun 1889
The Social World. (Observer, 29 June 1889) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 04 July 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1889
POST OFFICE NOTICE (Otago Daily Times, 04 July 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1889
FOOTBALL. (Star, 05 July 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jul 1889
Linwood Town Board (Star, 11 July 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 17 July 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 August 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 August 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 10 September 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1889
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1889. (Otago Daily Times, 16 September 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1889
Local &.General. (Star, 20 September 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Sept 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 21 September 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1889
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 23 September 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1889
MISCELLANEOUS. (Otago Daily Times, 24 September 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
27 Sept 1889
A RAILWAY TIMBER GEIEVANCE. (Evening Post, 27 September 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 22 October 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Oct 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 October 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 25 October 1889) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 October 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1889
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, November 6. (North Otago Times, 07 November 1889) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 November 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 November 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 21 November 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1889
WELLINGTON. (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1889
THE OTAGO A. & P. SOCIETY'S ANNUAL SHOW. (Otago Witness, 05 December 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Dec 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 December 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
1 Jan 1890
Sitting on a cart Ernest Smith, photographs and papers · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Oxford County Council, photograph reverse Henry Smith papers, shipboard diary and photographs · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
2 Jan 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 02 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1890
LOCAL NEWS. (Star, 20 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jan 1890
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 21 January 1890) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Colonist, 24 January 1890) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1890
Scholarship Examinations. (Star, 24 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1890
CANTERBURY. (Otago Daily Times, 28 January 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jan 1890
Local News. (Star, 28 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1890
CANTERBURY. (Otago Witness, 30 January 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 04 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Feb 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1890
St Albans Borough Council. (Star, 11 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 17 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 February 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
28 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 28 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1890
Local News. (Star, 01 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1890
Local News. (Star, 05 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1890
TELEGRAMS. (Inangahua Times, 05 March 1890) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 07 March 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1890
Untitled (Star, 11 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1890
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 15 March 1890) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1890
LINWOOD TOWN BOARD (Star, 19 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 March 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1890
Peninsula News. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 01 April 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Apr 1890
Christchurch Volunteer Fire Brigade. (Star, 03 April 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1890
TABLE TALK. (Auckland Star, 05 April 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Apr 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 April 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1890
JUNIOR CUP. (Star, 05 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1890
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Ashburton Guardian, 20 May 1890) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read

Most of these originals are not republishable here, the link goes to the provider that keeps them. A search result is a lead, not evidence: what a document actually says is only claimed once somebody has read it, and those readings live on the place pages.

“Smith and Smith”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch